Kingdom Builders: How to Live an "All In" LifeSample

Advancing Backwards

The God we serve is a fan of the “least of these” and the "have nots.” If the Scriptures teach us anything, it’s that God does the unimaginable with the most unlikely people. Throughout the Bible, we see the Kingdom of God advancing backwards. 

In Matthew’s Gospel, we get an insider’s look at how Jesus describes the Kingdom of God. Indeed, the Kingdom of God is worth selling everything for. Like the treasure in the field and the priceless pearl, when your eyes are opened to Kingdom purpose you’ll never be the same. Your life will be turned upside down and inside out. You’ll have wisdom to know what you need and how to help others. This is the “All In” life.

When you take a small faith step, you’re declaring that you trust God. That He’s your Source. With every little faith step, you move away from trying to do it in your own strength and you move towards the way of the Kingdom.

Today, decide to take a faith step and actively serve in your local church. Take a faith step and tithe. Take a faith step and sacrifice your time and your resources. Take a faith step and have your pastor’s back. Take a faith step and let go of anything that may be holding you back from grabbing hold of the life God is calling you to. Start heading in the opposite direction. Advance backwards.

Advancement won’t always make sense. There’s a story in the Old Testament where Israel is about to go to war. Gideon is the leader at the time and the fighting men under his command number about 32,000. God chooses 300. One important detail: the enemy of Israel was Midian and their army numbered 120,000. God made the odds 400:1. The math simply doesn’t add up. But that’s the amazing thing about God; He doesn’t need odds in His favor. 

He’s looking for people prepared to faithfully advance—even if it seems impossible and unlikely. That day, 300 of God’s chosen men defeated 120,000 enemies. This sounds a lot like Kingdom Builders. God is also looking to do the impossible in your life. He’s looking to see if you’re going to be a person He can use—if you’re ready to sacrifice and take a step of faith. 

Choose to be a person of faith who trusts God in good times and in bad times. Advance the Kingdom even if it seems backwards. It won’t always make sense, but that’s how God gets the glory.